Sash balance



Aug. l2, 1947 A. vlEHwEGER SASH BALANCE Filed'Jan, `15, 1945 2sheets-sheet 1 INVENT ATTomyEyJ.

gpl 17 A. VEHWEGER SASH BALANCE Aug. 12, 1947.v

Filed Jan. .15, 1945 '2 sheds-sheet 2' Qi-M @MM Patented Aug. 12, 1947SASH BALANCE August Viehweger, signor to Grand Comstock Park, Mich., as-Rapids Hardware Company,

Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application January 15,1945, Serial No. 572,832

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sash balance.

Themain objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a sash balance of the type embodying a tubular elementhaving a spiral track in which the double element is provided with atubular spiral track and one which may be economically produced and atthe same time is Very rigid and not likely to become sprung or to bindor clutchingly engage the torsion member when in use.

Second, to provide a sash balance of the type described in which thetubular element constitutes a lubricant retaining chamber so that thetorsion spring and engaged parts may be effectively lubricated andsqueaking and other noises practically eliminated.

Third, to provide a sash balance having these adavanta'ges in which theparts may be economically produced and assembled and veasily mounted inoperative relation to the sash of the Window casing.

Fourth, to provide improved coacting tubular elements and torsionelements.

Objects pertaining to details and economies `of the invention willdenitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is denedin the claims.

A structure embodying the features of the invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: Y

Fig. 1 is a` fragmentary elevation view of a window and casing with asash balance embodying my invention installed therein, the balance beingillustrated partially in longitudinal section.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to that of Fig. 1with the sash in raised position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the sash balance partially inlongitudinal section on line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4--4 of Figs. land 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View looking from the right of Figs. 3 and Vlshowing the details of the torsion element and its relation to thecoacting tubular element.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section on line 6,-6 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a modied form or embodiment of theinvention, the invention being mainly in the attaching bracket.

Fig. 8fis aV perspective View ofthe attaching bracketV of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary View corresponding to that of Fig. 1illustrating a modiiied form or embodiment of the invention in which thetubular member has a single spiral track as distinguished from thedouble track of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse section on line llll0 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the torsion member of the embodimentshown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation of a furthermodifled form orembodiment of my invention providedV with two spiral groove-like tracks.

Fig; 13 is an enlarged transverse section on line |3-I3 of Fig. 12.

In the drawing l represents a Window casing and 2 a window sash having achannel or groove 3 in the edge thereof adapted to receive the sashbalance. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6the tubular element designated generally by the numeral 4 is providedwith two spiral groove-like tracks 5 and 6 of the same pitch so thatthey may both simultaneously coact with a torsion element having twotrack-engaging lugs or parts, these lugs or parts being oppositelydisposed. This is of advantage in minimizing frictional and distortionstresses.

The tubular element comprises an inner member T and an outer member 8closely embracing the inner member, the two members coacting to producea very rigid tubular element and at the same time one which may be madeof relatively light material and does not have the weight which wouldresult. from otherwise securing the same degree of rigidity orresistance to bending and deilecting stresses. Both of these inner andouter members are formed from strips 9 and l0 of ribbon stock,preferably steel, spirally coiled, and the convolutions or turns of thespirals are such that longitudinal slots Il and I2 are formed by theedges of the strip or between the turns or convolutions of the spirallycoiled strip.

The outer member is provided with a spiral corrugation i3 preferablycentrally thereof, which forms a spiral groove I4. 'I'he spiralcorrugation is positioned in the spiral slot Il of the inner member asshown in Figs. 3 and 6. The slot i2 of the outer member is bottomed bythe inner member and the parts coact to form the spiral groove or trackI5.

A coiled torsionspring I6 is housed within the tubular member, beingclutchingly engaged at one end with the inner end of the torsion rod .I1and at the other end engagedwith the inner end of the anchoring rod IB,which is provided with having a hole 24 therein receiving theindentation 25 of the inner member, the outer member having acorresponding indentation 2S. rI he members are thus secured against'rela'tive' roltation as well as being secured tovfthebushing. Thebushing is provided with ratehet teeth 2 1 at its inner end coactingwith a ratchet head 28 mounted on the inner end of the torsion rod,-tlii s -inthe embodiment illustrated being in the form of a sleeve securedto the torsion rod by indenting at 2S ,i'r it`othe recesses 30 formed inthe torsion rod; see Fig. 3. The lsp r i n"g'lis', ,underaxial thrustand serves to urge the ratehetmemb'ers into engagement. These partsprovide -an effective closure for this en'd of the tubular member sothat it serves as a grease or lubricant `"cont'aitier permittingintroduction oi thelubricant preferably in the form o f' a suitablegrease whichis Aeiectively retained and doesnot reduire replacement. Themais functies ci ineiubiicant iste prevent noise and prevent corrosion;The rod 31 arranged within the coiled spring also prevents noise in thatit keeps the coils of the spring from interlocking and kinking.

Tnetorsion mantenerme emb'odimentof the inveniion-iinstratedi i its. 1;m6 immenses ,the anllll mmbl 132. 'Suda-bly ,mbfaig thE tubU- larmember', The 'annular member is carried by the arm 34 perforated 'at 35to' receive an attaching jscrew The torsion member is indented to form.a hiewhih coactswith the. track 14 wire `n@ arm is provini-,apnea ieg 31coasting wiinxihe track .These ,lugs :are iormed ,by inclinations in.the sans and are suitably pinned @Correspond t0 th Pitcher :the irasksl.,Ther engage the tracks -oppositelsf; thereby minimizing cantingorclutching stresses.

In me embpfiiment- 'f the fnyeiitioni'iistrated in, Fits*- 'Y 'and 58the brafiki 38., is Provided, with has'a `single spiral :track '4 3' Ihave illustrated embodiments of my invention Which I have found highlypractical. I have not attempted to illustrate certain other embodimentsand adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed this disclosurewill enable those skilled in the art to embody the invention as may bedesired. 4

Having thus described my inventic'in,4 what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sash balance, the combination of a tiibular element having twooutwardly facing spiral 4grooves of the same pitch, said elementcompris'inginnerand outer members, each membr consisting of Va stripspirally coiled with its edges in spaced relation providing a spiralslot,

' the outer member being in overlying relation to the spiral slot of theinner member and having a lspiral rib-like inset therein intermediateits edges disposed vin the slot of the inner member and providing one ofsaid grooves, the spiral slot of the outer memberbeing intermediate theedges of the inner member and bottomedthereby and constituting vtheotherof said spiral grooves', a bushing securedv within one end of saidvtubular element provided with ratchet teeth at its inner end, atensi'on rod disposedwithin said bushing for rotation therein andprovided vvithar ratchet head coacting with the ratchet teeth -o'i lsaidbushing, an anchoring rod at the other end of said tubular elementprovidedwithan attaching bracket and with a bushing fitting within saidtubular element,

the inner ends of said anchoring and tensioning rods constituting clutchpins, a coiled spring arranged within said element with its ends inclutch'- ing engagement within said clutch pins, and a torsion memberprovided with opposed grooveengaging lugs coacting with b'o'th'spiralgroovs of said tubular element, said tubular element 'members'and saidbushing and rods being in lubricant retaining ttingrelationship;

2. In a sash balance, the combination of a tu'- bular element having two-outwardlir facing spiral grooves of the sam'e pitch; said 'elementcomprising inner and outer membersy each member consistirlg of a nStrip'S'p'rlly lcoiled. with its edges 'in spaced relation providing a spiralslot; the out'er member being in overlying relation tothe spiral 510ifof the inner member an; having a spirai rib-like n's'et thereinlinteiiiie'di'ate Iits edges disposed in the slot of the inner memberandptroviding "one or said groeves, the spira-1 not or die @meer memberbeing intermediate :the edges ofthe inner 'member and bottomed therebyand'cons'tiuiting the einer ci said spiral :groei/es, a finishingsecured within ene-end di said tubuiar nement provided With ratchetteeth -at its inner end; a tension member disposed Within said bushingrotation thereinand Vprovided lwitha ratchet-head coacting With theratchet t'eth of lsa'1`d bushing, an anchoring member at the other en'dUf 'said tubular element, a coiled spring arranged Within rib-like insettherein intermediate its edges dis' outer member beingintermediate theedges ofi the innermember and bottomed thereby and constituting theother of said spiral grooves, a ten-f sion memberV mounted on one end ofsaid tubular element, an anchoring memberat the other end of saidtubular element, a coiled spring ar-` ranged within said element withone end operatively connected to said tension member and the other tosaid anchoring member, anda torsion' member provided withgroove-engaging lugs coacting with both spiral grooves of said tubularelement.

4. In a sash balance, the combination of a tu-A bular element comprisinginner and outer members, each consisting of a spirally coiled stripcoiled with the edges thereof in spaced relation providing a spiralslot, the outer member overlapping the slot of the inner member andhaving a spiral corrugation disposed in the spiral slot of the innermember and constituting an outwardly facing spiral groove, the slot ofthe outer member being underlapped by the inner member, said membersbeing in close tting lubricant retaining relation to each other, acoiled spring housed Within said tubular element and operativelyconnected thereto at one end, a mounting bracket at the other end ofsaid tubular element and to which said coiled spring is connected,meansA at vthe other end of said tubular element for adjusting thetension of said spring from the exterior of said tubular element, and atorsion element comprising an annular torsion member embracing andslidably receiving said tubular element and having an integral oisetportion engaging one of said grooves, and an attaching arm provided withlaterally spaced slots adjacent the free ends thereof, said annulartorsion member having the ends thereof disposed through said slots andfolded upon the rear side of said arm, said arm having an inward offsetbetween said slots coacting with the other of said grooves.

5. In a sash balance, the combination of a tubular element comprisinginner and outer members, each consisting of a spirally coiled stripcoiled with the edges thereof in spaced relation providing a spiralslot, the outer member overlapping the slot of the inner member andhaving a spiral corrugation disposed in the spiral slot of the innermember and constituting an outwardly facing spiral groove, the slot ofthe outer member being underlapped by the inner member, said membersbeing in close fitting lubricantk retaining relation to each other, acoiled spring housed Within said tubular element and operativelyconnected thereto at one end, a mounting bracket at the other end ofsaid tubular element and to which said coiled spring is connected, meansat the other end of said tubular element for adjusting the tension ofsaid spring from the exterior of said tubular element, and a torsionelement emb-racing and slidably receiving said tubular element andhaving opposed lugs coacting with said. grooves.

6. In a sash balance, the combination of a tubular element comprisinginner and outer members, each consisting of a spirally coiled stripcoiled with the edges thereof in spaced relation providing a spiralslot, the outer member overlapping the slot of the inner member andhaving a spiral corrugation disposed in the spiral slo-t of the innermember and constituting an outwardly facing spiral groove, the slot ofthe outer member being underlapped by the inner niember, a coiled'-spring housed within said tubularv element and-operatively connectedthereto at one end, a mountingbracket at the other end of `said tubularelement and to 'which said coiledspring is connected, and an annulartorsion member embracing 'and slidably receiving said tubular elementand provided with an attaching means and with opposed groove engaginglugs coacting with said spiral grooves of said tubular element andadapted to engage the grooves in diametrically opposed relation. Y

7, In a sash balance, the combination of a tubular'elemen't comprisinginner and outer members, eachlconsisting of a spirally coiled stripcoiled with the edges thereofin spaced relation providing a spiral slot,the strips being in joint breaking relation,` the outer of said stripshaving a spiral groove formed therein providing an inset spiral rib-likepart disposed in the slot of the inner member, the slot of the outermember being bottomedby the'inner member, a spiral spring housed Withinsaid tubular element and connected theretoV at onerend, an anchoringmeans for the otherend of said spring disposed within said tubularelement, said tubular element being adapted to constitute a lubricantchamber in which the spring is enclosed, and means coactinglwith thetube for torsioning the spring comprising a groove-engaging memberembracing and slidably receiving the tubular member and provided withmeans for attachment and having opposed lugs each adapted to engage oneof the grooves of. said tubular element at opposite sides of the tubularelement.

8". In a sash balance, the combination of a tubu lar element comprisinginner and outer members, each consisting of a spirally coiled stripdisposed in joint breaking relation to the other, the outer of saidmembers having a spiral track formed therein, the edges of theconvolutions of the outer member being spaced to provide a slot-liketrack bottomed by the inner member, a spiral spring housed Within saidtubular element and connected thereto at one end, an anchoring means forthe other end of said spring disposed within said tubular element, andmeans coacting With the tubular element for torsioning the springcomprising a track-engaging member embracing and slidably receiving thetubular member and provided with means for attachment and having meansindividually engaging one of the tracks of said tubular element.

9. In a sash balance, the combination of a tubular element comprisingspirally coiled inner and outer members, the outer member closelyembracing the inner member and in joint breaking relation thereto, theouter member having a spiral corrugation constituting a spiral track andhaving the edges of its convolutions spaced to provide a second spiraltting lubricant retaining relation to each other, a coiled spring housedwithin said tubular element and operatively connected thereto at one endthereof, an anchoring element at the other end of said tubular elementand to which the other end of said spring is connected, means foradjusting the tension of said spring from the exterior of said tubularelement, and a non-rotatable torsion member slidably engaging saidtubular element and provided with track engaging members coacting witheach of said spiral tracks of said tubular element.

10. A tubular element for sash balances adapted to receive a torsionspring and provided with track, said members being in close providingspiral slots,

two groove-like spiral torsion member engaging tracks, each consistingof a spirally coiled strip coiled with the edges thereof in spacedrelation providing a spiral slot, the outer member overlapping the slotof the inner member and having a spiral corrugation disposed in thespiral slot of the inner member and constituting an outwardly facingspiral groove, the slot of the outer member being underlapped by theinner member, said members being in close fitting lubricant retainingrelation to each other.

11. A tubular element for sash balances having two spiral groove-liketorsion memberengaging tracks of the same pitch and comprising inner andouter members each consisting of a spirally coiled strip coiled with itsedges in spaced relation the outer'member being in` overlyingv relationto the slot of the inner member and having a spiral rib-like offsettherein intermediate its edges disposed in the slot of the inner memberand providing one of said spiral groove-like tracks, the spiral slot ofVthe outer of said members being intermediate the edges of the innermember and bottomed thereby and constituting the other of said spiralgroove-like tracks, said members being in closeengagement to retainlubricant.

12. A tubular element for sash balances comprising inner and outermembers, each consisting of a spirally coiled strip` coiled with theedges thereof in spaced relation providing a spiral'sl'ot. the outermember overlapping the slot of the inner member: and havingf a spiralcorrugation disposed in the spiral slot of the inner member andconstituting a spiral track, the slot of the outer member constituting aspiral track and. being underlapped by the inner member.

I3". A tubular element for sash. balances having spiral tracks forenacting with a torsion member and comprising inner and outer members,each consisting of a strip spirally coiled with the edges thereof inspaced relation providing a spiral slot.` the strips' being in jointbreaking relation, the outer of said strips having a spiral track formedtherein providing a. Spiral ri -like part disposed in the slot of theinner member, the slot of the outer member being bottomed by the innermember.

14. A tubular element for sash balances comprising inner and outermembers each consisting of a spirally coiled strip, the inner memberbeingcoiled with its edges in spaced relation providing a spiral slot,the outer member closely embracing the inner and overlapping the slotthereof and having a spiral corrugationv disposed in the spiral slot ofthe inner member and constituting a spira-l track.

15,.. A tubular element for sash balanceshaving spiral tracks andcomprising inner and. outer members, each consisting of a spirallycoiled strip, the outer member closely embracing the inner andoverlapping the joint thereof, the outer member having a pluralityofspiraln corrugations constituting spiral tracks.

AUGUST VIEHWEGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record irr they iile4of this patent.:

UNITED STATES PA'IEN'ISv

